61 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven . 2 "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets , so that they may be honored by men . Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full . 3 "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing , 4 so that your giving will be in secret ; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 6:1-4
Commentary on Matthew 6:1-4
(Read Matthew 6:1-4)
Our Lord next warned against hypocrisy and outward show in religious duties. What we do, must be done from an inward principle, that we may be approved of God, not that we may be praised of men. In these verses we are cautioned against hypocrisy in giving alms. Take heed of it. It is a subtle sin; and vain-glory creeps into what we do, before we are aware. But the duty is not the less necessary and excellent for being abused by hypocrites to serve their pride. The doom Christ passes, at first may seem a promise, but it is their reward; not the reward God promises to those who do good, but the reward hypocrites promise themselves, and a poor reward it is; they did it to be seen of men, and they are seen of men. When we take least notice of our good deeds ourselves, God takes most notice of them. He will reward thee; not as a master who gives his servant what he earns, and no more, but as a Father who gives abundantly to his son that serves him.